Whether you’re planning to visit for a day, weekend or longer, Kilmarnock has something for everyone. As the largest incorporated town and commercial hub in Lancaster County, Kilmarnock has both chain stores and independently-owned businesses that offer visitors and residents dozens of dining and shopping options. There are even two family-friendly parks for the kids. The town also has multiple lodging options with short-term rentals, inn, bed and breakfast and hotel. So visit for a day or longer, but definitely visit.
1. A Day at the Park
Town Centre Park, 150 North Main Street, offers year-round fun. The splash pad and playground are popular gathering spots during the warmer months, while Scottie’s Yard Dog Park is filled with happy pups all year. Along with hosting holiday events, the park’s most popular event is its Music on the Half Shell concert series, which draws thousands of music lovers each year. There are nine concerts planned from May through September 2025. Kilmarnock also has a second public playground at the Joe Curry Memorial Park on Waverly Avenue. Both parks are open daily sunrise to sunset.
2. Shopping in Steptoe’s
The Steptoe’s District has more than 55 businesses to explore including family-owned boutiques, jewelry stores, furniture stores, a bookstore, music store and speciality wine shop. There are multiple thrift and consignment shops and several antique stores, one with over 22,000 square feet of floor space to accommodate over 100 vendors. Although Kilmarnock is home to chain grocery and big box stores, its quaint shopping district features independent shops every visitor should explore.
3. Past Meets Present
The Kilmarnock Museum, 76 North Main Street, is one of the oldest buildings in town and includes the story of the town and surrounding communities. On the museum lawn is a Memory Garden with dozens of plaques in tribute to local residents. At its center is a Wall of Valor, memorializing first responders who have given their life in the line of duty. Entry to the museum is free and it’s open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from mid-March through mid-December. The garden is open to visitors daily from dawn til dusk.
4. Scoop and Crunch
Summertime always means ice cream time, and Kilmarnock offers some of the best homemade goodness in the region with soft serve at Stevie’s Ice Cream or hand-dipped at Chitterchats Second Scoop. The town also was the first location for Northern Neck Popcorn Bag, where your tastebuds will delight in over 50 flavors of sweet and savory handcrafted popcorn. Speciality coffee lovers aren’t left out with a locally-owned Front Porch Coffeehouse that serves up breakfast and lunch items in the Steptoe’s District.
5. Wine and Dine
With over 30 eateries, foodies can satisfy almost any craving from Asian cuisine to Italian and Mexican to American. From fancy to fun, families and couples have a variety of dining options from eating a burger around a fire pit to grabbing a bistro sandwich to go or celebrating a special evening with fine dining in a presidential inn. The staple among Kilmarnock restaurants is Lee’s Restaurant on Main Street, where four generations have served up home cooking. If it’s a brew, cocktail or wine you’re seeking, Kilmarnock has that too with both a brewery and a brewpub on West Church Street and a regional favorite winery on the outskirts of town on Goodluck Road.
